Virology

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The Molecular Biology Core has been in operation for the past twelve years and has provided state-ofthe- art methodologies for numerous molecular biological techniques and recombinant protein expression and purification. The major goals of the Molecular Biology Core remain: 1. To collect and maintain suitable plasmid vectors and host for expression of HIV/SIV and related recombinant proteins 2. To provide a service for construction of recombinant plasmids and high level expression of HIV/SIV and related proteins, including HLA tetramers for immunological analysis. 3. To provide a service for purification of HIV/SIV and related proteins. 4. To establish an onsite repository for plasmids with HIV/SIV genes as well as recombinant HIV/SIV proteins. 5. To provide a service for construction of infectious HIVISIV proviral clones containing defined mutations in genes of interest. 6. To train personnel to assist in the various phases of plasmid construction and expression/purification of recombinant proteins for the purpose of facilitating technology transfer. The Molecular Biology Core has assisted, on average, over 25 CFAR members per year during the last funding period. The Core has averaged over $40,000 per year in chargebacks over the last funding period ($180,000 total). The Molecular Biology Core has provided critical reagents and expertise to UAB CFAR members that have funded individual R01 grants, UAB's National Corporative Vaccine Development Group and a multi-investigator funded program project to elucidate features of the HIV-1 reverse transcription. In the next funding period, the Core will expand its efforts to provide critical reagents for the international CFAR transmission and vaccine initiatives. Support of this facility is thus instrumental for the continued success of numerous investigators working in different areas of HIV pathogenesis, vaccine and therapeutic development currently conducted at UAB.